England’s Stokes reprimanded for using foul language

MOHALI, India: England’s Ben Stokes was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday for using foul language on the opening day of the third Test against India in Mohali.

The incident took place when Stokes reacted to India’s celebrations following his dismissal and he got into a heated exchange with skipper Virat Kohli that was heard by onfield umpires Marais Erasmus and Chris Gaffaney.

Stokes was found to have used “language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting”.

Stokes accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Ranjan Madugalle and there was no need for a formal hearing on the matter.

This was Stokes’ second offence in less than a month after the allrounder was fined 15 per cent of his match fee in Bangladesh for verbally engaging with batsman Sabbir Rahman.

Stokes, who now has two demerit points under the new ICC code of conduct, will face suspension from one Test or two limited-overs internationals if he earns up to four points within a two-year period. —APP